| PROPOSAL NUMBER: | A5.03-8392 (For NASA Use Only - Chron: 013607 ) |
| PROPOSAL TITLE: | Direct Metal Technology for Additive Manufacturing and Rapid Prototyping |
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
Solidica is proposing a filament based rapid prototyping machine for the production of net shape metal and functional gradient components. Net shape fully dense metallic parts have been the holy grail of rapid prototyping since its inception. Solidica, Inc. has patented an innovative ultrasonic approach for rapid prototyping of net shape metallic parts using a ribbon feedstock. By combining the use of ultrasonics for layer-by-layer material build up of metallic ribbons with a simple machining head Solidica achieves net shape fully dense metallic components in a fraction of the time and at a lower cost than traditional machining or casting. Extending this proprietary technology to use filament based feedstock rather than ribbon, will enable a complexity of geometry that is currently only achievable for fully dense metal components through investment casting. This innovation has enormous cost saving advantages for production of both complex metallic and bimetallic functional gradient test hardware. There is currently no technology that is readily capable of forming functionally gradient structures for complex geometric shapes.
POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
The market for rapid prototyping is an already proven market. Currently competitive machines in this area differentiate themselves through speed, accuracy, and cost. This technology is capable of leapfrogging all of the current technologies by providing the first truly functional metallic parts at a speed, accuracy and cost comparable with systems which by the nature of their material solidification or layer bonding processes are limited to plastics and powder processed materials.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
(Name, Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Dawn White
Solidica
3941 Research Park Drive, Suite C
Ann Arbor , MI 48108 - 2219
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR
(Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Solidica
3941 Research Park Drive, Suite C
Ann Arbor , MI 48108 - 2219